Le Basketbawl

The Charlotte Bobcats are not going to be any one’s patsie this season that is one thing you can count on! New York Vinnie is telling you the Bobcats will at least contend for an NBA Playoff spot this year. And with the addition of their newest member they just might make it for the first time in team history!

The Charlotte Bobcats announced on their website Tuesday that they have traded big man Emeka Okafor to the New Orleans Hornets for center Tyson Chandler. Chandler is just the kind of guy this team to take it to the next level in the upcoming season. The B-Cats showed a lot of growth last year their first under Larry Brown as they saw a lot of changes in team personnel.

Ty Chandler grew up big time with the Hornets as he spent three years with the club. He went from being just another stiffo from that lousy 2001 NBA Draft to a legitimate force in the league. Chandler  averaged 10.2 and 11.3 boards per game in his time in New Orleans despite by being plagued with injuries this past season.

Okafor was the first pick ever in the NBA Draft for the Bobcats in the 2004  NBA Draft. The former University of Connecticut player averaged 14.0 points and 10.7  rebounds per game during his stint in Charlotte. He was selected behind Dwight Howard in the 2004 draft.

Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins told reporters this is a key move for his team. Higgins said “We looked at this trade as an opportunity to improve our team. Tyson brings that unique level of athleticism in a 7-footer that puts us in a position to compete night in and night out with the other quality centers in the league. We’d like to thank Emeka for all that he has done for this franchise and for serving as the organization’s ambassador and first-ever draft pick. His hard work and dedication to the Charlotte Bobcats will be missed, and we wish him well with his new team.”